Powerful Student's Stories #3 - How My Curiosity About Soup Turned Into a Powerful Lesson

Before I even met this client, I had a small learning project in mind: I wanted to learn how to make a really good soup.

I had tried before, but something was always off. Too bland, too watery, not that deep, rich flavor I was looking for. So when I found out one of my clients was a professional cook, I saw my chance.

I didn’t think much about it—I just asked him. “Hey, how do you actually make a great soup?”

And man, did he have answers. He started explaining all these little details—how to build flavor, what ingredients matter, why certain things work and others don’t. I listened, took his advice, tried it out, and came back later with more questions.

And you know what? He loved it.

Because everyone loves being seen for what they’re good at. It wasn’t just small talk; it was real. I genuinely wanted to learn, and he could feel that. That’s when I realized something huge: When I’m truly curious about someone, they naturally become curious about me.

This wasn’t just about soup anymore. It was about connection.

The more I engaged with his expertise, the more he opened up—not just about cooking, but about everything. And that’s when it clicked: Curiosity is powerful. It builds trust, makes conversations better, and turns a simple question into something way bigger.

This lesson has stuck with me. As a teacher, I see the same thing happening all the time. In the classroom, in life—when you show real interest in someone, they show interest back. It’s not a trick or a tactic, it’s just human nature.

And in the end? Yeah, I finally learned how to make a damn good soup. But I also learned something way more valuable along the way.